THE FACTS
When is Gael Monfils vs Ilya Ivashka taking place? Gael Monfils vs Ilya Ivashka will take place on Sunday 25th July, 2021 at (not before) 04:30 (UK)
Where is Gael Monfils vs Ilya Ivashka taking place? Gael Monfils vs Ilya Ivashka will take place at Ariake Tennis Park in Tokyo
What surface is Gael Monfils vs Ilya Ivashka played on? Gael Monfils vs Ilya Ivashka will be played on hard courts
Where can I get tickets for Gael Monfils vs Ilya Ivashka? There are no tickets for Gael Monfils vs Ilya Ivashka as Olympic Tennis will take place without spectators.
What TV channel is Gael Monfils vs Ilya Ivashka on in the UK? Olympic coverage is shared between BBC and Eurosport so it is worth checking their schedules for Gael Monfils vs Ilya Ivashka
Where can I stream Gael Monfils vs Ilya Ivashka in the UK? If Gael Monfils vs Ilya Ivashka is televised on BBC then it can be streamed live on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app. If Gael Monfils vs Ilya Ivashka is televised on Eurosport then subscribers can stream the match live on Eurosport Player
THE PREDICTION
World number 18 Gael Monfils heads to the Tokyo Olympics as a newlywed with Elina Svitolina and that fact must be considered in his chances for success here. An outside factor like a marriage or new child has so often caused a shift in perception amongst athletes and the 34-year-old desperately needs such a change after a dreadful year on tour. A 3-9 record is partly due to fitness issues but the Frenchman has been far too easy to get back at in his matches this year and his last six defeats have come against players outside of the top 50. The former world number six is still occasionally as silky as before but he will be a complete anomaly this week back on his most effective surface.
Another anomaly looks to be world number 66 Ilya Ivashka, who reached a career-high 63rd just last week after a brilliant run to the round of 16 on his Wimbledon debut. The 27-year-old is something of a late bloomer but he has taken a set off Rafael Nadal this year and also beat Alexander Zverev in Germany amongst some impressive performances. As part of a dangerous looking Belarussian contingent in Tokyo, Ivashka has a huge chance at causing a not-so upset if he stays with Monfils on every point. Still, this match is hugely unpredictable and is probably best left alone. Monfils beat Ivashka in straight sets back in 2019 but the likeliest winner on form is probably the Belarusian and for that reason you could take him to win at least a set.